I've decided to take a diary for the decoration, for I guess it'll be quite interesting. Many people believe it'll be an arduous journey to take. I agree, but I want to embrace it, and make it into something I'll be very proud of.

 The house will be ready for decoration at 2009 year-end. So it's still half a year to go. After having read several decoration magazines, I actually do have something in mind. I just never set foot on an actual visit to a decoration company until the Saturday before last (Jul 11, happened to be the designer's birthday), recommended by a workmate who's also bought a flat.

 The decoration company is called Shenyuan Space Design, which is among the mainstream decoration companies in Shanghai. They were putting up a big fair in Huangpu Liabry near Raffles City. Young designers were all eager to amaze customers by their fancy design in the hope of closing deals. The venue is full of people. I was lead to one of the designers, male, long hair... typical

 I wasted no time, quickly showed him the layout of the house.

 "Strange layout, especially the bathroom", he was quick to comment.

"Oh, really? In what way?"
 "Too small, so that the illustrated layout is unrealistic."
 "Oh, what do you suggest, then?"
 "Eat into what's originally part of the master bedroom. But that borrowed space is in the closet, so you won't see from the outside."
 ......

 The designer obviously has a lot of experiences. We covered design style, overall budget, work procedure in our conversation. I found that his style really agrees with my taste. Finally the worm get caught. haha... I payed the deposit of 300RMB. Luckily, since they're holding the fair, the designing fee is 50% off (now at 30RMB/m2),  and they give me a VIP card worth 2000RMB, 2 weekday tickets for the 2010 Expo and a lottery for tiles, which I won 1000RMB (500RMB is the standard).

 I told mom about my abrupt decision about signing the deposit contract the following day. She was suprised, actually I am suprised also. I find myself becoming very spontaneous, so spontaneous that almost seems casual. haha... Actually the buying of the house also seemed very spontaneous...

 The following Sunday, I went to Nanhui for the measuring of my house. The house seemed almost finished from the outside. I told him my more specific requirement for each room after he's done measuring. I want modern and bright style for the living room, conceptually distinctive dining room (actually just one big space called living room as well as dining room), cozy and elegant master bedroom, and special guest bedroom. Not very specific direction, I really want to be surprised. After all, it's what I'm paying for, right?

 The first design will come out in a month. So I'm ready to be surprised. :-)